Ann Ayre of East Quogue and formerly of Hampton Bays, died on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at her residence in Newtown, PA.

          Born to Thomas F. and Ann Morris Casey in New York City on March 22, 1923, the family, which included older brother Tom, moved to Elmhurst, Queens, when Ann was four. She graduated Newtown High School, then employed as a Passenger Agent at United Airlines, LaGuardia Airport. She married George J. Lawrie of Rego Park in 1942 and shortly after the couple moved to Delaware County, PA, where they lived for 19 years. Five children were born there: Bonnie, Susan, Betsy, Patricia and Michael Scott. The marriage ended in divorce in 1961 and Ann and the children returned to Long Island.

          In 1965, she married J. Ernest Ayre, MD, a pioneer in cervical cancer research, and moved to Old Westbury, LI. Dr. Ayre was the founder and Medical Director of National Cancer Center with two research facilities, Plainview LI and Miami (later Boca Raton FL). Ann served as Executive Secretary of the Long Island office alongside her husband for eleven years. Following his death in 1974, she was named Executive Director by the board of Directors and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1985.

          In 1978 Ann built a retirement home in Hampton Bays which she and her family enjoyed until 2004 when she moved to Eagles Walk in East Quogue. She stated often that her retirement years in Hampton Bays were a dream come true, beautiful surroundings, loving family, and dear friends. She was an active participant in the Center for Creative Retirement at Southampton College for many years since 1985, she also volunteered with the Dominican Sisters Family Health Service and was deeply devoted to her local parish, St. Rosalie’s.

          Both husbands predeceased her as did her oldest daughter, Bonnie Sullivan and her brother Thomas Casey. She is survived by daughter Susan Turner and her husband George of New Hope, PA, Elizabeth Saccone of Massapequa, NY, Pat Tucker and her husband Malcolm of Doylestown, PA, son Michael Scott Lawrie of Denver, CO, five beloved grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law Theresa Casey of Larchmont, NY.

          Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Mass on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 10:30am in St. Rosalie Church, 31 E. Montauk Hwy. Hampton Bays, NY 11946. Interment will be private at Good Ground Cemetery.

          In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated by the family to the Dominican Sisters FHS, P.O. Box 1028 Hampton Bays, NY 11946 or to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048 Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.